I would like to respond to Ron Smith's column "Mideast burns, Japan suffers — Obama golfs" (Feb. 18). It managed to hit a lot of buttons with me.

I question Mr. Smith's indignation over President Obama having "fun" — I wonder where his indignation was when his boy Bush bewailed the fact that Katrina had made it impossible for him to enjoy cocktails on Trent Lott's porch while people in New Orleans were dying because of Katrina.

Also — what is this bit about black swans on the White House lawn? Is Mr. Smith being insensitive, stupid or just plain arrogant to make such an off-hand remark, yet, to the keen observer, one filled with racial overtones.

Janney Lee